Ephesians 3: 1-13

Unity, Mission, and You

Ephesians 3:1–13 CSB

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.

A Mystery Revealed

The definition of Mystery is Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.

The New Testament uses the word “mystery” in reference to spiritual truths that are initiated but not fully revealed by the Old Testament. That which was concealed is now revealed. The greek word - μυστήριον mustēriŏn, moos-tay´-ree-on - A revealed secret.

The mystery of the hardening of Israel (Romans 11:25)

The mystery of the indwelling of the Spirit (Ephesians 1)

The mystery of the body of Christ (Ephesians 3) Jew and Gentile

The mystery of the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5)

Unity a mystery revealed!

The Word is revealed by the Holy Spirit -

There was a plan to reach the Gentiles through Israel. Israel had a mission, but through idolatry

“Augustine's quote, “In the Old Testament the New Testament is concealed; in the New Testament the Old Testament is revealed.”

Genesis 12:2–3 CSB

I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Isaiah 49:6 CSB

he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Galatians 3:7–9 CSB

You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons. Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.

Our unity is in Christ

Ephesians 3:6 CSB

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Unity is hard and it is costly - Unity is not uniformity

It caused Paul to be killed (Acts 21)

Mission

Paul had a mission for a purpose

Mission v 8,9

Preach to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ

(Here is a short list just in Ephesians) Grace Eph 1:7, Wisdom and Understanding Eph 1:8 (several other letters), Mercy Eph 2:4, Kindness Eph 2:7, Glory Eph 3:16.

Other Passages:

1 Cor 4:8 “You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you!” (Warning, being rich without Christ, moving ahead of God)

Phil 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

2. Shed light (illuminate) on the mystery hidden in God

By living this out, Paul is revealing the mysteries of God to angels and demons

Our mission

What:

Proclaim the incalculable riches of Christ

Illuminate (cause to know), we show this

Who: Everyone

Where: Where you are now, going, sent,

How: Live a life submitted in the spirit, not the flesh. There are things we do in the flesh, it

Boldness and Confident Access on Mission

Through faith we have boldness and confident access.

In Faith (A constant outlook of trust and dependence toward God)

Faith is an action - we discussed this Wed. when Ran Dolinger was explaining baptism to us.

300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon Clutching the Pearl of Faith (Luke 17:5; Ephesians 4:14)

I will tell you how faith grows. Sometimes it grows in intensity. You believe the same things, but you believe them more firmly. A child has a pearl in its hand. Yes, but now the child has grown up into a man, and he has the same pearl, but how differently he holds it. When, as a little child, he held the pearl, then you might, perhaps, have taken it away from him; but now that he is a man, see how he doubles his fists and grasps the treasure!

So it is with the man who grows in faith. He gets such a grip on eternal truths that you cannot take them from him. He has learned to stand firmly. He is not carried about by every wind of doctrine. He keeps the helm of his soul fixed right to the port where he is bound, let the wind blow and the storm howl and moan as it may.

Boldness - willingness to undertake actions with a risk of danger, especially being honest and straightforward

Confident Access- We have access to the very throne room.

We are united in Christ

We have a mission becuasae